38946 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 139 / Friday, July 23, 2021 / Proposed Rules 

(k) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Darren Gassetto, Aerospace Engineer, 

COS Program Management Section, 

Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & 

Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 Stewart 

Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 

telephone (516) 228–7323; email 

Darren.Gassetto@faa.gov. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact He ́licopte`res Guimbal, 1070, 

rue du Lieutenant Parayre, Ae ́rodrome d’Aixen-Provence, 13290 Les Milles, France; 

telephone 33–04–42–39–10–88; email 

support@guimbal.com; or at https://

www.guimbal.com. You may view this 

referenced service information at the FAA, 

Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 

Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N– 

321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information 

on the availability of this material at the 

FAA, call (817) 222–5110. 

(3) The subject of this AD is addressed in 

European Union Aviation Safety Agency 

(EASA) AD 2019–0186, dated July 30, 2019. 

You may view the EASA AD at https://

www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA– 

2021–0574. 

Issued on July 14, 2021. 

Lance T. Gant, 

Director, Compliance & Airworthiness 

Division, Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–15475 Filed 7–22–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2021–0575; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2020–00545–R] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Bell Textron 

Canada Limited (Type Certificate 

Previously Held by Bell Helicopter 

Textron Canada Limited) Helicopters 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking 

(NPRM). 

SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a 

new airworthiness directive (AD) for 

certain Bell Textron Canada Limited 

(type certificate previously held by Bell 

Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) 

(Bell) Model 429 helicopters. This 

proposed AD was prompted by reports 

of incorrectly staked spherical bearings 

in the directional control bellcrank 

assembly. This proposed AD would 

require a one-time inspection of the 

lower surface of the spherical bearing in 

the directional control bellcrank 

assembly to determine if it is properly 

staked and, depending on the findings, 

applicable corrective actions. For 

certain helicopters, this proposed AD 

would also require repetitive 

inspections and, depending on the 

findings, applicable corrective actions. 

This proposed AD would also provide a 

terminating action for the repetitive 

inspections. The FAA is proposing this 

AD to address the unsafe condition on 

these products. 

DATES: The FAA must receive comments 

on this proposed AD September 7, 2021. 

ADDRESSES: You may send comments, 

using the procedures found in 14 CFR 

11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following 

methods: 

• Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to 

https://www.regulations.gov. Follow the 

instructions for submitting comments. 

• Fax: (202) 493–2251. 

• Mail: U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. 

• Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail 

address between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 

Monday through Friday, except Federal 

holidays. 

For service information identified in 

this NPRM, contact Bell Textron Canada 

Limited, 12,800 Rue de l’Avenir, 

Mirabel, Quebec J7J 1R4, Canada; 

telephone 1–450–437–2862 or 1–800– 

363–8023; fax 1–450–433–0272; email 

productsupport@bellflight.com; or at 

https://www.bellflight.com/support/ 

contact-support. You may view this 

service information at the FAA, Office 

of the Regional Counsel, Southwest 

Region, 10101 Hillwood Pkwy., Room 

6N–321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For 

information on the availability of this 

material at the FAA, call (817) 222– 

5110. 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2021–0575; or in person at Docket 

Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 

Monday through Friday, except Federal 

holidays. The AD docket contains this 

NPRM, the Transport Canada AD, any 

comments received, and other 

information. The street address for 

Docket Operations is listed above. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer, 

COS Program Management Section, 

Operational Safety Branch, Compliance 

& Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 

Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 

11590; telephone (516) 228–7330; email 

andrea.jimenez@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Comments Invited 

The FAA invites you to send any 

written relevant data, views, or 

arguments about this proposal. Send 

your comments to an address listed 

under ADDRESSES. Include ‘‘Docket No. 

FAA–2021–0575; Project Identifier 

MCAI–2020–00545–R’’ at the beginning 

of your comments. The most helpful 

comments reference a specific portion of 

the proposal, explain the reason for any 

recommended change, and include 

supporting data. The FAA will consider 

all comments received by the closing 

date and may amend this proposal 

because of those comments. 

Except for Confidential Business 

Information (CBI) as described in the 

following paragraph, and other 

information as described in 14 CFR 

11.35, the FAA will post all comments 

received, without change, to https://

www.regulations.gov, including any 

personal information you provide. The 

agency will also post a report 

summarizing each substantive verbal 

contact received about this NPRM. 

Confidential Business Information 

CBI is commercial or financial 

information that is both customarily and 

actually treated as private by its owner. 

Under the Freedom of Information Act 

(FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt 

from public disclosure. If your 

comments responsive to this NPRM 

contain commercial or financial 

information that is customarily treated 

as private, that you actually treat as 

private, and that is relevant or 

responsive to this NPRM, it is important 

that you clearly designate the submitted 

comments as CBI. Please mark each 

page of your submission containing CBI 

as ‘‘PROPIN.’’ The FAA will treat such 

marked submissions as confidential 

under the FOIA, and they will not be 

placed in the public docket of this 

NPRM. Submissions containing CBI 

should be sent to Andrea Jimenez, 

Aerospace Engineer, COS Program 

Management Section, Operational 

Safety Branch, Compliance & 

Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 

Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 

11590; telephone (516) 228–7330; email 

andrea.jimenez@faa.gov. Any 

commentary that the FAA receives 

which is not specifically designated as 

CBI will be placed in the public docket 

for this rulemaking. 

Background 

Transport Canada, which is the 

aviation authority for Canada, has 

issued Canadian AD CF–2020–11, dated 

April 16, 2020 (Transport Canada AD 

CF–2020–11), to correct an unsafe 


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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 139 / Friday, July 23, 2021 / Proposed Rules 38947 

condition for Bell Textron Canada 

Limited (Bell) Model 429 helicopters, 

serial numbers 57001 through 57210, 

57212 through 57344, 57346 through 

57371, 57374 through 57377, and 57380. 

Transport Canada advises that there are 

reports of incorrectly staked spherical 

bearings in the directional control 

bellcrank assembly. This condition, if 

not addressed, could result in wear or 

elongation of the bore in the bellcrank, 

which could result in reduced 

helicopter directional control. 

Accordingly, Transport Canada AD 

CF–2020–11 requires a one-time 

inspection to determine if a spherical 

bearing is properly staked in the 

directional control bellcrank assembly, 

and, depending on the findings, 

replacement of the spherical bearing 

with a new spherical bearing, repair of 

an affected bellcrank assembly and 

repetitive inspections of that repaired 

bellcrank assembly, or replacement of 

the affected bellcrank assembly with a 

serviceable part. Transport Canada AD 

CF–2020–11 also provides terminating 

actions for the requirements of the 

Canadian AD. 

FAA’s Determination 

These helicopters have been approved 

by the aviation authority of Canada and 

are approved for operation in the United 

States. Pursuant to the FAA’s bilateral 

agreement with Canada, Transport 

Canada, its technical representative, has 

notified the FAA of the unsafe condition 

described in its AD. The FAA is 

proposing this AD after evaluating all 

known relevant information and 

determining that the unsafe condition 

described previously is likely to exist or 

develop on other helicopters of the same 

type design. 

Related Service Information Under 1 

CFR Part 51 

The FAA reviewed Bell Alert Service 

Bulletin 429–19–50, Revision B, dated 

December 19, 2019. This service 

information specifies procedures for an 

initial inspection of the lower surface of 

the spherical bearing in the directional 

control bellcrank assembly to determine 

if it is properly staked, additional 

inspections, and corrective actions. The 

corrective actions include installation of 

a new spherical bearing, repair 

(including re-identification of the 

bellcrank assembly part number), and 

replacement of the bellcrank assembly. 

The additional inspections include an 

inspection of the upper surface of the 

spherical bearing in the directional 

control bellcrank assembly to determine 

if it is properly staked, an inspection of 

the bore in the bellcrank assembly for 

excessive wear (including mechanical or 

corrosion damage that exceed 0.001 

inch (0.03 millimeter) maximum depth 

for 1⁄4 of the circumference, and any 

cracking); and, for any helicopter with 

a bellcrank assembly that is repaired, 

repetitive inspections of the lower 

surface of the spherical bearing to 

determine if it has moved. 

This service information is reasonably 

available because the interested parties 

have access to it through their normal 

course of business or by the means 

identified in the ADDRESSES section. 

Other Related Service Information 

The FAA also reviewed Bell Alert 

Service Bulletin 429–19–50, dated 

November 27, 2019; and Revision A, 

dated December 2, 2019. Bell Alert 

Service Bulletin 429–19–50, dated 

November 27, 2019, specifies 

procedures for an initial inspection of 

the spherical bearing in the directional 

control bellcrank assembly to determine 

if it is properly staked and replacement 

of the spherical bearing with a new 

spherical bearing if it is determined that 

the spherical bearing was not properly 

staked. 

Bell Alert Service Bulletin 429–19–50, 

Revision A, dated December 2, 2019, 

specifies procedures for an initial 

inspection of the lower surface of the 

spherical bearing in the directional 

control bellcrank assembly to determine 

if it is properly staked, additional 

inspections, and corrective actions. The 

corrective actions include installation of 

a new spherical bearing. The additional 

inspections include an inspection of the 

upper surface of the spherical bearing in 

the directional control bellcrank 

assembly to determine if it is properly 

staked, and an inspection of the bore in 

the bellcrank assembly for excessive 

wear. 

Proposed AD Requirements in This 

NPRM 

This proposed AD would require 

accomplishing the actions specified in 

the service information already 

described. 

Costs of Compliance 

The FAA estimates that this AD, if 

adopted as proposed, would affect 120 

helicopters of U.S. registry. The FAA 

estimates the following costs to comply 

with this proposed AD: 

ESTIMATED COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per 

product 

Cost on U.S. 

operators 

Inspection ................ 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 per inspection cycle ....................... $0 $85 $10,200 

The FAA estimates the following 

costs to do any necessary actions that 

would be required based on the results 

of the proposed inspection. The agency 

has no way of determining the number 

of helicopters that might need these 

actions: 

ON-CONDITION COSTS

Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product 

Replacement Spherical Bearing .... 7 work-hours × $85 per hour = $595 ......................... $56 $651. 

Repair/replacement Bellcrank ........ 4 work-hours × $85 per hour = $340 ......................... 2,856 3,196. 

Repetitive Inspections .................... 1 work-hour × $85 per hour = $85 per inspection 

cycle.

0 85 per inspection cycle. 

Authority for This Rulemaking 

Title 49 of the United States Code 

specifies the FAA’s authority to issue 

rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, 

section 106, describes the authority of 

the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: 

Aviation Programs, describes in more 

detail the scope of the Agency’s 

authority. 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS
38948 Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 139 / Friday, July 23, 2021 / Proposed Rules 

The FAA is issuing this rulemaking 

under the authority described in 

Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 

44701: General requirements. Under 

that section, Congress charges the FAA 

with promoting safe flight of civil 

aircraft in air commerce by prescribing 

regulations for practices, methods, and 

procedures the Administrator finds 

necessary for safety in air commerce. 

This regulation is within the scope of 

that authority because it addresses an 

unsafe condition that is likely to exist or 

develop on products identified in this 

rulemaking action. 

Regulatory Findings 

The FAA determined that this 

proposed AD would not have federalism 

implications under Executive Order 

13132. This proposed AD would not 

have a substantial direct effect on the 

States, on the relationship between the 

national Government and the States, or 

on the distribution of power and 

responsibilities among the various 

levels of government. 

For the reasons discussed, I certify 

this proposed regulation: 

(1) Is not a ‘‘significant regulatory 

action’’ under Executive Order 12866, 

(2) Would not affect intrastate 

aviation in Alaska, and 

(3) Would not have a significant 

economic impact, positive or negative, 

on a substantial number of small entities 

under the criteria of the Regulatory 

Flexibility Act. 

List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39 

Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation 

safety, Incorporation by reference, 

Safety. 

The Proposed Amendment 

Accordingly, under the authority 

delegated to me by the Administrator, 

the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 

39 as follows: 

PART 39—AIRWORTHINESS 

DIRECTIVES 

■ 1. The authority citation for part 39 

continues to read as follows: 

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 

§ 39.13 [Amended] 

■ 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by adding 

the following new airworthiness 

directive: 

Bell Textron Canada Limited (Type 

Certificate Previously Held by Bell 

Helicopter Textron Canada Limited): 

Docket No. FAA–2021–0575; Project 

Identifier MCAI–2020–00545–R. 

(a) Comments Due Date 

The FAA must receive comments on this 

airworthiness directive (AD) by September 7, 

2021. 

(b) Affected ADs 

None. 

(c) Applicability 

This AD applies to Bell Textron Canada 

Limited (type certificate previously held by 

Bell Helicopter Textron Canada Limited) 

Model 429 helicopters, certificated in any 

category, serial numbers 57001 through 

57210 inclusive, 57212 through 57344 

inclusive, 57346 through 57371 inclusive, 

57374 through 57377 inclusive, and 57380. 

(d) Subject 

Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) 

Code: 6700, Rotorcraft Flight Control. 

(e) Unsafe Condition 

This AD was prompted by reports of 

incorrectly staked spherical bearings in the 

directional control bellcrank assembly. The 

FAA is issuing this AD to address incorrectly 

staked spherical bearings in the directional 

control bellcrank assembly. This condition, if 

not addressed, could result in wear or 

elongation of the bore in the bellcrank, which 

could result in reduced helicopter directional 

control. 

(f) Compliance 

Comply with this AD within the 

compliance times specified, unless already 

done. 

(g) Required Inspection and Corrective 

Actions 

Within 25 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 90 

days, whichever occurs first after the 

effective date of this AD: Inspect the lower 

surface of the spherical bearing on the 

directional control bellcrank assembly to 

determine if it is properly staked, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions, Part I, step 7., of Bell Alert 

Service Bulletin 429–19–50, Revision B, 

dated December 19, 2019 (BASB 429–19–50, 

Revision B). After the inspection, before 

further flight, do the applicable action 

required by paragraph (g)(1) or (2) of this AD. 

(1) If the lower surface of the spherical 

bearing is improperly staked (any 

discrepancy is found e.g., the witness marks 

are not present and intact or the staked lip 

is not uniform along the chamfer): Inspect the 

bore in the bellcrank assembly for excessive 

wear (including mechanical or corrosion 

damage that exceed 0.001 inch (0.03 

millimeter) maximum depth for 1⁄4 of the 

circumference, and any cracking); in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions, Part I, steps 10. through 13., of 

BASB 429–19–50, Revision B, and depending 

on the findings, do the applicable actions 

required by paragraph (g)(1)(i) or (ii) of this 

AD before further flight. 

(i) If the bore in the bellcrank assembly 

shows signs of excessive wear: Repair the 

bellcrank, including re-identifying the 

bellcrank assembly part number, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions, Part II, steps 1. through 13., of 

BASB 429–19–50, Revision B. 

(ii) If the bore diameter is within 0.001 

inch (0.03 millimeter) maximum depth for 1⁄4

of the circumference: Install a new spherical 

bearing, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions, Part II, steps 4. 

through 12., of BASB 429–19–50, Revision B. 

(2) If the lower surface of the spherical 

bearing is properly staked: Inspect the upper 

surface of the spherical bearing on the 

directional control bellcrank assembly to 

determine if it is properly staked, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions, Part I, steps 8. and 9., of BASB 

429–19–50, Revision B, and depending on 

the findings, do the applicable actions 

required by paragraph (g)(2)(i) or (ii) of this 

AD before further flight. 

(i) If the spherical bearing is properly 

staked: No further action is required by this 

AD. 

(ii) If the spherical bearing is not properly 

staked (any discrepancy is found e.g., the 

witness marks are not present and intact or 

the staked lip is not uniform along the 

chamfer): Inspect the bore in the bellcrank 

assembly for excessive wear (including 

mechanical or corrosion damage that exceed 

0.001 inch (0.03 millimeter) maximum depth 

for 1⁄4 of the circumference, and any 

cracking), in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions, Part I, steps 

10. through 13., of BASB 429–19–50, 

Revision B, and depending on the findings, 

do the applicable actions required by 

paragraph (g)(2)(ii)(A) or (B) of this AD before 

further flight. 

(A) If the bore in the bellcrank assembly 

shows signs of excessive wear: Repair the 

bellcrank, including re-identifying the 

bellcrank assembly part number, in 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instruction, Part II, steps 1. through 13., of 

BASB 429–19–50, Revision B. 

(B) If the bore diameter is within 0.001 

inch (0.03 millimeter) maximum depth for 1⁄4

of the circumference: Install a new spherical 

bearing, in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions, Part II, steps 4. 

through 12., of BASB 429–19–50, Revision B. 

(h) Required Post Repair Inspections 

For any helicopter on which the bellcrank 

has been repaired as required by paragraphs 

(g)(1)(i) or (g)(2)(ii)(A) of this AD: Within 100 

hours TIS after the repair, and thereafter at 

intervals not to exceed 100 hours TIS, inspect 

the lower surface of the spherical bearing to 

determine if it has moved, in accordance 

with the Accomplishment Instructions, Part 

III, step 7., of BASB 429–19–50, Revision B. 

If the spherical bearing has moved (is loose): 

Before further flight, inspect the bore in the 

bellcrank assembly to determine if the 

diameter exceeds 0.6283 inch (15.9588 

millimeters), in accordance with the 

Accomplishment Instructions, Part III, steps 

8. through 11., of BASB 429–19–50, Revision 

B. 

(1) If the diameter of the bore in the 

bellcrank assembly exceeds 0.6283 inch 

(15.9588 millimeters): Before further flight 

replace the bellcrank assembly. 

(2) If the diameter of the bore in the 

bellcrank assembly does not exceed 0.6283 

inch (15.9588 millimeters): Before further 

flight install a new spherical bearing in 


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Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 139 / Friday, July 23, 2021 / Proposed Rules 38949 

accordance with the Accomplishment 

Instructions, Part II, steps 4. through 12., of 

BASB 429–19–50, Revision B. 

(i) Terminating Action 

Replacement of a bellcrank assembly with 

a new part (never installed on a helicopter or 

has accumulated zero hours TIS) is 

terminating action for the requirements of 

this AD for that helicopter only. 

(j) Credit for Previous Actions 

This paragraph provides credit for actions 

required by paragraph (g) of this AD, if those 

actions were performed before the effective 

date of this AD using the service information 

identified in paragraph (j)(1) or (2) of this AD. 

(1) Bell Alert Service Bulletin 429–19–50, 

dated November 27, 2019. 

(2) Bell Alert Service Bulletin 429–19–50, 

Revision A, dated December 2, 2019. 

(k) Alternative Methods of Compliance 

(AMOCs) 

(1) The Manager, International Validation 

Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve 

AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the 

procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In 

accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your 

request to your principal inspector or local 

Flight Standards District Office, as 

appropriate. If sending information directly 

to the manager of the International Validation 

Branch, send it to the attention of the person 

identified in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD. 

Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR730-AMOC@faa.gov. 

(2) Before using any approved AMOC, 

notify your appropriate principal inspector, 

or lacking a principal inspector, the manager 

of the local flight standards district office/ 

certificate holding district office. 

(l) Related Information 

(1) For more information about this AD, 

contact Andrea Jimenez, Aerospace Engineer, 

COS Program Management Section, 

Operational Safety Branch, Compliance & 

Airworthiness Division, FAA, 1600 Stewart 

Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; 

telephone (516) 228–7330; email 

andrea.jimenez@faa.gov. 

(2) For service information identified in 

this AD, contact Bell Textron Canada 

Limited, 12,800 Rue de l’Avenir, Mirabel, 

Quebec J7J 1R4, Canada; telephone 1–450– 

437–2862 or 1–800–363–8023; fax 1–450– 

433–0272; email productsupport@

bellflight.com; or at https://

www.bellflight.com/support/contact-support. 

You may view this referenced service 

information at the FAA, Office of the 

Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 

Hillwood Pkwy., Room 6N–321, Fort Worth, 

TX 76177. For information on the availability 

of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222– 

5110. 

(3) The subject of this AD is addressed in 

Transport Canada AD CF–2020–11, dated 

April 16, 2020. You may view the Transport 

Canada AD on the internet at https://

www.regulations.gov in Docket No. FAA– 

2021–0575. 

Issued on July 15, 2021. 

Ross Landes, 

Deputy Director for Regulatory Operations, 

Compliance & Airworthiness Division, 

Aircraft Certification Service. 

[FR Doc. 2021–15534 Filed 7–22–21; 8:45 am] 

BILLING CODE 4910–13–P 

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 

Federal Aviation Administration 

14 CFR Part 39 

[Docket No. FAA–2020–0713; Product 

Identifier 2019–CE–061–AD] 

RIN 2120–AA64 

Airworthiness Directives; Gulfstream 

Aerospace Corporation Airplanes 

AGENCY: Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA), DOT. 

ACTION: Proposed rule; withdrawal. 

SUMMARY: The FAA is withdrawing a 

notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) 

that proposed to adopt a new 

airworthiness directive (AD) for certain 

Gulfstream Aerospace Corporation 

(Gulfstream) Model GVII–G500 

airplanes. The NPRM was prompted by 

a report of a fuel quantity disparity 

between the overhead panel touch 

screens and the touch screen 

controllers. The NPRM proposed to 

require incorporating operating 

limitations into the airplane flight 

manual (AFM) until the fuel quantity 

management system (FQMS) software is 

updated. Since issuance of the NPRM, 

the FAA has determined that there is 

not an unsafe condition because all 

affected airplanes have updated 

software. Accordingly, the NPRM is 

withdrawn. 

DATES: As of July 23, 2021, the proposed 

rule, which published in the Federal 

Register on July 28, 2020 (85 FR 45345), 

is withdrawn. 

ADDRESSES: 

Examining the AD Docket 

You may examine the AD docket at 

https://www.regulations.gov by 

searching for and locating Docket No. 

FAA–2020–0713; or in person at Docket 

Operations between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., 

Monday through Friday, except Federal 

holidays. The AD docket contains this 

AD action, any comments received, and 

other information. The street address for 

Docket Operations is U.S. Department of 

Transportation, Docket Operations, 

M–30, West Building Ground Floor, 

Room W12–140, 1200 New Jersey 

Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590. 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: 

Jared Meyer, Aviation Safety Engineer, 

Atlanta ACO Branch, FAA, 1701 

Columbia Avenue, College Park, GA 

30337; phone: (404) 474–5534; fax: (404) 

474–5605; email: jared.meyer@faa.gov. 

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background 

The FAA issued an NPRM that 

proposed to amend 14 CFR part 39 by 

adding an AD that would apply to 

certain serial-numbered Gulfstream 

Model GVII–G500 airplanes. The NPRM 

published in the Federal Register on 

July 28, 2020 (85 FR 45345). The NPRM 

was prompted by a report of the affected 

airplanes exhibiting a disparity between 

the fuel quantities displayed on the 

overhead panel touch screens and the 

fuel quantities displayed on the touch 

screen controllers. An investigation 

revealed two known failure conditions 

that the Model GVII–G500 FQMS does 

not properly detect and report to the 

crew. These failure conditions are fuel 

quantity probe drift and an FQMS overcurrent condition, which could result in 

erroneous and misleading fuel quantity 

indications and could also result in 

erroneous and misleading fuel 

imbalance indications. These conditions 

could cause a false annunciation of a 

fuel imbalance, a failure to annunciate 

an actual fuel imbalance, and a 

condition where the actual fuel quantity 

is less than or greater than the indicated 

fuel quantity. The FQMS software logic 

does not properly detect or compensate 

for these failure conditions. This 

condition, if not corrected, could result 

in fuel starvation during flight, 

performance impacts of the airplane 

having more fuel than indicated, and a 

roll moment due to a fuel imbalance. 

The NPRM proposed to require 

incorporating operating limitations into 

the AFM until the fuel quantity signal 

conditioner FQMS software is updated 

to version 10003–42130–01–19.03. 

Actions Since the NPRM Was Issued 

After issuance of the NPRM, the FAA 

determined that all Gulfstream Model 

GVII–G500 airplanes are in compliance 

with the proposed software update, and 

the unsafe condition has been removed 

from the fleet. In addition, since 

Gulfstream controls the software, it is 

unlikely the unsafe condition will be reintroduced. 

Based on the above information, the 

FAA has determined that AD action is 

not warranted and the proposal should 

be withdrawn. 


khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with PROPOSALS